Researchers have been suprised to learn that, when asked if they wanted more time or money, most people answered, "more time."  With parents already feeling so harried that they hardly have time to sit down for a meal, how can they find time to help their children succeed in school?  Luckly, many busy parents have figured out ways to find time for the important job of helping their children learn.  Below are some parent-proven tips on how you can, too.

• Use time in the car with your child, or other pockets of time, to squeeze in a little more learning.  Of course, your child can't read library books in the tub-but he can count his toes.  He can't write an essay in the car - but he can talk about what he's going to write or, perhaps, review spelling words.
• Set priorities.  Decide what's most important to you (odds are, it's your kids). Then consciously decide how to spend your time.  Make decisions reflect what matters.  Have a choice between cooking a fancy dinner and reading with your child?  Fix a sandwich and read the book.
• Spend one-on-one time.  Kids need both "quality" and "quantity" time with you. There is nothing like spending time alone with a parent to make a child feel special.  Every week, make an appointment to spend some time alone with each of your children.  Get out your calendar and write it in.  Then treat that appointment as seriously as you would an important business meeting.
• Find your child's "prime time" for studying.  This may be a key to his success in school.  One mother found that her daughter, a real early bird, set her study time for 5:00 a.m., her grades went up.  Another family of night owls found that late evening study hours were best.  Work with your child to find the homework time that's best for him.  You might find that his "prime time" works to your advantage too.

I hope the tips help you find a little extra time in your day to spend quality time with your child.

As always, please contact me at 910-347-1261 or beth.britt@onslow.k12.nc.us if you have any questions or if you would like more information.

Sincerely,  Mrs. Britt